How to Tackle Stress from Career Transition

We all go through transition, whether it’s a new job or a new role at work. Recently, I made a leap of faith from the left-brained accounting world to a right-brained entrepreneurial venture with no net. ACK!  Needless to say, I have been there. It has been a great, liberating ride so far. Here are some tips which helped me manage the bumps along the way.

 1.    Get really clear on what you want out of your transition

This tip comes from Michael Losier’s book, the Law of Attraction (a must read). Make a list of what you didn’t like about that old role or job and BLACKLINE every list item! Then, make a NEW list of what you want out of your new opportunity or venture. If you are clear on what you want, you’ll be amazed and what shows up in return.

 2.    Acknowledge your fear and take it along with you

Transition can be really scary! There were times when new opportunities were right in front of me and my fear of screwing them up paralyzed me from exploring them further. Remember, fear is completely normal. If you just acknowledge that it’s there, and take action with fear, eventually you will become FEARLESS until the next big thing comes along. 

 3.   Say Sayonara to the negative voices at your boardroom table

As adults, sometimes we carry old belief systems from childhood that we aren’t good enough or won’t succeed. Try this visualization exercise to get rid of the naysayers in your mind:  

1. Sit up nice and tall with eyes open or closed
2. Imagine a boardroom table with friends and family sitting around it. Check in and see if there are any negative voices at your table, what are they saying? (E.g., You Will Fail!)
3. Ask the naysayers to leave the room
4. Create a new person at your table that says the exact opposite of what that negative voice was telling you. (E.g., You are Going to Succeed!)

4.    Tap into your arsenal of inner strength

Think back to a time when you tapped into your inner goddess to make a transition or get through some heavy-duty stuff in your life. Next time you freak out at the thought of venturing into unchartered territory, remember this: You did it once before you sure as heck can do it again.

 5.    Rely on an entourage of supporters

A study from MGH indicated wounded rats in isolation took longer to heal than ones reared in a group. I use this gruesome example to make a point. You need a cheering section! 

Surround yourself with people that support your new venture or promotion for better or for worse.  When you are having an “I don’t know what the heck I am doing” moment, they give you that sanity check that you desperately need, and tell you how fabulous you are.

 6.    Do the stuff that makes you feel good

Let’s face it, moving through transition is awesome but can be anxiety ridden at the same time. This is why it’s super important to take of yourself during this process.  Make sure you take time to do the things that make you feel good. Walk, run, meditate, do yoga, you get the picture.

To sum it up, get clear on what you want, act WITH Fear, ditch the naysayers in your mind, tap into your inner strength, rely on your cheering section and do the stuff that makes you feel good! 

Would love to hear if any of these tactics helped you or someone you know!